Mayor Announces Details of Training Program for Free 5K

9/5/2013

Registration Now Open for Mayor’s Challenge 5K, Fun Run on Sunday, Nov. 17

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mayor Karl Dean today announced details of a free eight-week training program that will launch later this month in preparation for the third annual Mayor’s Challenge 5K Walk/Run, which will be held on Sunday, Nov. 17 in downtown Nashville. The free event also will include a kids’ fun run. Registration opened today at www.MayorsChallenge5K.com. For the past two years, the Mayor’s 5K has drawn more than 5,000 participants to celebrate active, healthy living.

New this year, participants who successfully complete the eight-week training program will receive a free Mayor’s Challenge 5K t-shirt. Training will take place at Metro Parks’ community centers located throughout Davidson County: Coleman, East, Hadley, Hartman, McCabe and Centennial Sportsplex.

Participants will need to train at least twice a week from Sept. 15 to Nov. 9, with at least one of the weekly training sessions taking place at a community center, to receive a free t-shirt. Participants also can receive a free one-day pass to a Metro Parks community center when they attend their first training sessions and can qualify to win other giveaways by attending training sessions. More information about the 5K, fun run and training program are available online.

“There are lots of 5K races that take place in Nashville every weekend, but this one is special because it is totally free and is appealing to first-time 5K participants,” Mayor Dean said. “Every year, we have seen people who have never walked or run in a 5K before. That’s why it’s important to me that we help them prepare through a training program that costs them nothing and is available at locations throughout Davidson County.”

Mayor Dean announced details of the training program today at the Centennial Sportsplex and participated in a 30-minute training session at Centennial Park that combined running and walking.

The Mayor’s Challenge 5K builds on the momentum of other citywide health initiatives, including Walk 100 Miles with the Mayor and Mayor’s Field Day. The 5K is open to all ages and fitness levels. Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate as teams. The fun run distance is less than one mile and is for children ages 12 and under. Free transportation will be available to and from the event on MTA buses by telling the driver you are participating in the Mayor’s 5K.

Activities on Nov. 17 will begin at noon and will include on-site registration, bib pickup, team photos with Mayor Dean and family activities. The fun run will start at 2 p.m., and the 5K will begin at 2:15 p.m. Both events will start and finish at Public Square in front of the Historic Metro Courthouse.

Community partners for the third annual Mayor’s Challenge 5K and Kids’ Fun Run include Coca-Cola, Jackson National Life Insurance Co., Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, YMCA, Metro Parks and Recreation Department, Metro Health Department and the Nashville Striders.

The Mayor’s Challenge 5K will kick off the Seventh Annual Southern Obesity Summit (SOS) taking place in Nashville from Nov. 17 to Nov. 19. The summit is the largest regional obesity prevention conference in the United States and draws hundreds of participants from 16 Southern states. It will take place at the new Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville.